Bridging The Gap: How Social Savoring Through Digital Media Aids Long Distance Couples In Maintaining And Enhancing Their Relationships

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore social media use among long distance couples as a tool for communication and relational savoring. Savoring is the process of identifying positive experiences, noting the pleasure caused, and prolonging those feelings throughout the present and future (Pitts, 2019). Although some relational and communicative dimensions of savoring have been explored (Bryant & Veroff, 2007; Miyamoto & Ma, 2011; Quoidbach, Berry, Hansenne, & Mikolajczak, 2010), the role of digital media as it relates to savoring has yet to be studied. Two research questions guided this qualitative inquiry to examine the role between digital media use and relational savoring; “What patterns of relational maintenance do long distance relationship couples exhibit via their use of social and digital media?” and “How do couples in a long distance relationship utilize digital and social media to savor elements of their relationship through communication and increase potential for relational benefits?”. Ten interviews were conducted with three men and seven women in long distance romantic relationships. Findings suggest that similar patterns of maintenance exist among long distance partners and the deliberate act of savoring positive experiences from the past, present, and future has a lasting, positive impact on relationships.